U.S. patent number 11,204,619 [Application Number 16/071,022] was granted by the patent office on 2021-12-21 for patient monitor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Naoki Fukushima, Sou Kumagai, Wataru Matuzawa, Kazuya Nagase, Mitsuhiro Oura, Hiroshi Torigai, Nobuyuki Yasumaru.
United States Patent |
11,204,619 |
Oura , et al. |
December 21, 2021 |
Patient monitor
Abstract
A patient monitor that acquires a vital sign through a
measurement sensor, and that is to be connected to an external
measurement apparatus for measuring another vital sign, includes a
master clock that is disposed in the patient monitor, and that
manages common time information, a first operating system that
manages first time information, and a second operating system that
manages second time information, and that transmits and receives
data to and from the external measurement apparatus. When a
predetermined event occurs, the first operating system reads the
common time information from the master clock, and updates the
first time information. When the predetermined event occurs, the
second operating system reads the common time information from the
master clock, updates the second time information, and notifies the
external measurement apparatus of the updated second time
information or the common time information.
Inventors: |
Oura; Mitsuhiro (Tokyo,
JP), Kumagai; Sou (Tokyo, JP), Matuzawa;
Wataru (Tokyo, JP), Yasumaru; Nobuyuki (Tokyo,
JP), Nagase; Kazuya (Tokyo, JP), Torigai;
Hiroshi (Tokyo, JP), Fukushima; Naoki (Tokyo,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
(Tokyo, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006006635 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/071,022 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2016 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 27, 2016 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2016/005240 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 18, 2018 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2017/125991 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
July 27, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190029635 A1 |
Jan 31, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 19, 2016 [JP] |
|
|
JP2016-008260 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/04 (20130101); H04L 7/0008 (20130101); A61B
5/7285 (20130101); A61B 8/06 (20130101); A61B
8/58 (20130101); A61B 5/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/04 (20060101); A61B 8/06 (20060101); H04L
7/00 (20060101); A61B 5/00 (20060101); A61B
8/00 (20060101); A61B 5/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1 061 997 |
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Dec 2000 |
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EP |
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2 689 720 |
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Jan 2014 |
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EP |
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11-7428 |
|
Jan 1999 |
|
JP |
|
2000-235406 |
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Aug 2000 |
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JP |
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2002-330930 |
|
Nov 2002 |
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JP |
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2003-265419 |
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Sep 2003 |
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JP |
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2008-178626 |
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Aug 2008 |
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JP |
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2014-23570 |
|
Feb 2014 |
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JP |
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03/071951 |
|
Sep 2003 |
|
WO |
|
2009/138902 |
|
Nov 2009 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Communication dated Oct. 23, 2019, from the Japanese Patent Office
in counterpart application No. 2016-008260. cited by applicant
.
Search Report dated Apr. 13, 2017, issued by the International
Searching Authority in International Application No.
PCT/JP2016/005240 (PCT/ISA/210). cited by applicant .
Written Opinion dated Apr. 13, 2017, issued by the International
Searching Authority in International Application No.
PCT/JP2016/005240 (PCT/ISA/237). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Ahn; Sung S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A patient monitor that acquires a vital sign of a subject
through a measurement sensor, and that is to be connected to an
external measurement apparatus for measuring another vital sign of
the subject, the patient monitor comprising: a master clock that is
disposed in the patient monitor, and that manages common time
information that is time information common to hardware; a first
operating system that manages first time information that is
internal specific time information and measures the vital sign of
the subject; and a second operating system that manages second time
information that is internal specific time information, and that
transmits and receives data to and from the external measurement
apparatus, wherein, when a predetermined event that relates to
measurement of the another vital sign by the external measurement
apparatus occurs, the first operating system reads the common time
information from the master clock, and updates the first time
information by using the common time information, and, when the
predetermined event occurs, the second operating system reads the
common time information from the master clock, updates the second
time information by using the common time information, and notifies
the external measurement apparatus of the updated second time
information or the common time information.
2. The patient monitor according to claim 1 wherein the first
operating system or the second operating system updates the common
time information which is managed by the master clock, by using
time information which is read from a time server on a network.
3. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the first
operating system executes a process of updating the first time
information, in preference to other processes.
4. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the second
operating system executes a process of updating the second time
information, in preference to other processes.
5. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the patient
monitor and the external measurement apparatus are connected to
each other in a wired manner.
6. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the first
operating system is configured to execute a preset specific
function, and the second operating system is a general-purpose
operating system.
7. A patient monitor that acquires a vital sign of a subject
through a measurement sensor, and that is to be connected to an
external measurement apparatus for measuring another vital sign of
the subject, the patient monitor comprising: a master clock that is
disposed in the patient monitor, and that manages common time
information that is time information common to hardware; a first
operating system that manages first time information that is
internal specific time information and measures the vital sign of
the subject; and a second operating system that manages second time
information that is internal specific time information, and that
transmits and receives data to and from the external measurement
apparatus, wherein, when a predetermined event that relates to
measurement of the another vital sign by the external measurement
apparatus occurs, the first operating system reads the common time
information from the master clock, updates the first time
information by using the common time information, and notifies the
second operating system of the updated first time information or
the common time information, and the second operating system
updates the second time information by using the updated first time
information or common time information which is notified from the
first operating system, and notifies the external measurement
apparatus of the updated second time information or the common time
information.
8. The patient monitor according to claim 7, wherein the first
operating system or the second operating system updates the common
time information which is managed by the master clock, by using
time information which is read from a time server on a network.
9. The patient monitor according to claim 7, wherein the first
operating system executes a process of updating the first time
information, in preference to other processes.
10. The patient monitor according to claim 7, wherein the second
operating system executes a process of updating the second time
information, in preference to other processes.
11. The patient monitor according to claim 7, wherein the patient
monitor and the external measurement apparatus are connected to
each other in a wired manner.
12. The patient monitor according to claim 7, wherein the first
operating system is configured to execute a preset specific
function, and the second operating system is a general-purpose
operating system.
13. A patient monitor that acquires a vital sign of a subject
through a measurement sensor, and that is to be connected to an
external measurement apparatus for measuring another vital sign of
the subject, the patient monitor comprising: a master clock that is
disposed in the patient monitor, and that manages common time
information that is time information common to hardware; a first
operating system that manages first time information that is
internal specific time information and measures the vital sign of
the subject; and a second operating system that manages second time
information that is internal specific time information, and that
transmits and receives data to and from the external measurement
apparatus, wherein, when a predetermined event that relates to
measurement of the another vital sign by the external measurement
apparatus occurs, the second operating system reads the common time
information from the master clock, updates the second time
information by using the common time information, and notifies the
first operating system and the external measurement apparatus of
the common time information or the updated second time information,
and the first operating system updates the first time information
by using the common time information or second time information
which is notified from the second operating system.
14. The patient monitor according to claim 13, wherein the first
operating system or the second operating system updates the common
time information which is managed by the master clock, by using
time information which is read from a time server on a network.
15. The patient monitor according to claim 13, wherein the first
operating system executes a process of updating the first time
information, in preference to other processes.
16. The patient monitor according to claim 13, wherein the second
operating system executes a process of updating the second time
information, in preference to other processes.
17. The patient monitor according to claim 13, wherein the patient
monitor and the external measurement apparatus are connected to
each other in a wired manner.
18. The patient monitor according to claim 13, wherein the first
operating system is configured to execute a preset specific
function, and the second operating system is a general-purpose
operating system.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a patient monitor, and more
particularly to a patient monitor in which a plurality of operating
systems operate.
BACKGROUND ART
As information for knowing the condition of a subject, various
vital signs (the blood pressure, the body temperature, the
respiration, the pulse rate, the arterial oxygen saturation, and
the like) are widely employed. Moreover, an ultrasonic inspection
apparatus is used for knowing the condition of the chest, abdomen,
or the like of the subject.
In recent days, techniques for simultaneously performing
measurement of a vital sign and ultrasonic measurement have been
proposed. For example, PTL 1 discloses a system in which an
ultrasonic transducer can be connected to a patient monitor (FIG. 1
of PTL 1). The system can simultaneously process an ultrasonic
image acquired by the ultrasonic transducer, and a vital parameter
(vital sign) of the subject.
Recently, in order to enhance the operation reliability and the
expandability of the measurement function, furthermore, a
configuration where a plurality of operating systems are caused to
operate on the same patient monitor has been disclosed (PTL 2). In
the vital sign measurement apparatus disclosed in PTL 2, a first OS
(embedded OS) which is used for measuring a vital sign, and a
second OS (general-purpose OS) with high expandability are caused
to operate.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[PTL 1]
WO/2009/138902
[PTL 2]
JP-A-2014-023570
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
As described above, the configuration is used where an external
measurement apparatus (preferably, an ultrasonic measurement
apparatus) is connected to a patient monitor, and a plurality of
operating systems operate on the patient monitor. In the case where
a patient monitor having the configuration (a plurality of
operating systems, and connection to an external measurement
apparatus) is used, sets of time information of the respective
operating systems must be synchronized with time information of the
external measurement apparatus.
For example, a case where an ultrasonic measurement apparatus is
connected to a patient monitor on which a plurality of operating
systems operate to refer the blood pressure waveform and the like,
and the Doppler blood flow image will be considered. In this case,
if the sets of time information of the operating systems in the
patient monitor, and the time information of the operating system
in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus are not synchronized with
one another, it is difficult for the doctor or the like to
correctly determine relationships between the blood flow, the blood
pressure waveform, and the like. Such difficulty occurs not only in
the case where an ultrasonic measurement apparatus is connected to
a patient monitor, but also in a case where another apparatus (an
electromyograph, an EIT (Electrical Impedance Tomography)
measurement apparatus, an electromagnetic blood flow meter) or the
like is connected to a patient monitor.
In the above-described PTLs 1 and 2, however, there is no
suggestion or teaching of time synchronization of the operating
systems in the patient monitor, and the operating system in the
external measurement apparatus.
The invention has been conducted in view of the above-described
circumstances. It is a main object of the invention to provide a
patient monitor on which a plurality of operating systems operate,
and in which, in a configuration where an external measurement
apparatus is connected to the patient monitor, the operating
systems can respectively handle time information without time
difference.
Solution to Problem
According to an aspect of the invention, a patient monitor that
acquires a vital sign of a subject through a measurement sensor,
and that is to be connected to an external measurement apparatus
for measuring another vital sign of the subject, includes a master
clock that is disposed in the patient monitor, and that manages
common time information that is time information common to
hardware, a first operating system that manages first time
information that is internal specific time information, and a
second operating system that manages second time information that
is internal specific time information, and that transmits and
receives data to and from the external measurement apparatus,
wherein, when a predetermined event occurs, the first operating
system reads the common time information from the master clock, and
updates the first time information by using the common time
information, and when the predetermined event occurs, the second
operating system reads the common time information from the master
clock, updates the second time information by using the common time
information, and notifies the external measurement apparatus of the
updated second time information or the common time information.
When a predetermined event occurs, the operating systems (the first
operating system, the second operating system, and the operating
system in the external measurement apparatus) use the common time
information which is counted by the master clock to update the sets
of time information which are respectively managed by the operating
systems. Since the time synchronization is performed by using the
common time information of the master clock, there is no time
difference among the operating systems. Therefore, the patient
monitor can handle a plurality of sets of information (a waveform,
a measurement value, and an ultrasonic image) in a state where
there is no time difference.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
It is possible to provide a patient monitor on which a plurality of
operating systems operate, and in which, in a configuration where
an external measurement apparatus is connected to the patient
monitor, the operating systems can respectively handle sets of time
information having no time difference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a
patient monitor system 1 of Embodiment 1.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the
patient monitor system 1 of Embodiment 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a
patient monitor system 1 of Embodiment 2.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a
patient monitor system 1 of Embodiment 3.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating
the configuration of a patent monitor system 1 of the embodiment.
The patient monitor system 1 has a patient monitor 10 and an
ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30. The ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30 is a mode of the external measurement apparatus which
is connected to the patient monitor 10, and which measures a vital
sign (for example, an ultrasonic image) of a subject.
The patient monitor 10 is an apparatus which is to be disposed for
each subject, and which measures, calculates, and displays a vital
sign (the blood pressure, the oxygen saturation, the body
temperature, the respiration, an electrocardiogram, an
electromyogram, or the like). The patient monitor 10 is connected
to measurement sensors 21, 22 which acquire various vital sign
signals from the subject. Namely, the patient monitor 10 acquires a
vital sign of the subject through the measurement sensors 21, 22.
For example, the measurement sensors 21, 22 are an adhesive
electrode, a cuff, a mask, a body temperature sensor, or the like.
The measurement sensors 21, 22 are connected to the patient monitor
10 in a wired or wireless manner. The number of the measurement
sensors may be arbitrarily set.
The patient monitor 10 may include a first OS 11 (Operating System,
the first operating system), a second OS 12 (Operating System, the
second operating system), an output controller 15, and an inputting
section 17.
The first OS 11 performs basic control and management of a
computer. A first calculating section 13 operates on the first OS
11. The first OS 11 is a basic software which provides a function
of controlling programs, that of displaying a screen, that of
operating files, and the like. The first OS 11 is a basic software
which operates when a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is not
shown reads the OS from a memory, and then executes the OS.
The first OS 11 is an embedded type OS which can execute a specific
function. For example, the specific function detects measurement
waveforms and measurement values from the vital sign signals of the
subject, and causes them to be displayed. An embedded type OS
(hereinafter, also referred to as an embedded OS) is an OS which
executes a preset specific function. As compared with a
general-purpose OS (such as Windows, Mac OS, or Linux (all are
registered trademarks)), therefore, an embedded OS has less
possibility of stopping (freezing) a processing operation, and can
realize a stable and highly reliable processing operation. The
embedded OS, i.e., the first OS 11 is an OS which is employed in a
bedside monitor that is disposed in the vicinity of the bed of the
subject. Therefore, the first OS 11 is referred to also as the
monitor OS.
Similarly with the first OS 11, the second OS 12 is a basic
software which provides a function of controlling programs, that of
displaying a screen, that of operating files, and the like. The
second OS 12 is a basic software which operates when the CPU
(Central Processing Unit) that is not shown reads the OS from a
memory, and then executes the OS. As the second OS 12, a
general-purpose OS (such as Windows, Mac OS, or Linux (all are
registered trademarks)) which is used also in a personal computer
(PC) is employed. A general-purpose OS has high expandability in
utilize of a new application software, in management of a new
peripheral device, in an application of a multilingual operation,
and the like. The general-purpose OS, i.e., the second OS 12, is an
OS having high expandability. In the following description, the
second OS 12 is referred to as the extended OS.
The first calculating section 13 operates on the first OS 11. The
first calculating section 13 processes a vital sign based on a
control signal which is transmitted from the inputting section 17.
The control signal is a signal which is based on contents that are
input by the medical person through buttons or the like disposed on
the housing of the patient monitor 10. The first calculating
section 13 and the inputting section 17 are communicably connected
to each other through a bus line 51. The measurement sensors 21, 22
for measuring a vital sign of the subject are connected to the
first calculating section 13. The vital sign (vital sign signals)
supplied from the measurement sensors 21, 22 are supplied to the
first calculating section 13. Based on the control signal from the
inputting section 17, the first calculating section 13 processes
the vital sign signals.
The first calculating section 13 measures various numerical data
(the blood pressure, the body temperature, the oxygen
concentration, the carbon dioxide concentration, the cardiac
output, and the like) related to the vital sign signals received
from the measurement sensors 21, 22. Moreover, the first
calculating section 13 produces lists and graphs of the measurement
values based on the measured numerical data. The first calculating
section 13 determines whether each of the measurement values
indicates an abnormal value (a value which exceeds a preset
threshold) or not, and, if it is determined that the measurement
value indicates an abnormal value, produces an alarm display or the
like. Then, the first calculating section 13 outputs the signals
such as the biological waveform, the numerical data, the lists and
graphs of the measurement values, and an abnormal alarm display, as
calculation process signals (the first calculation signal) to the
output controller 15. The first calculating section 13 stores the
calculation process signals (the first calculation signal), the
data received from the measurement sensors 21, 22, the inputting
section 17, and a second calculating section 14, and the like, in
storage means (a memory) which is not illustrated.
It is often that signals of vital signs measured by the measurement
sensors 21, 22 are of the kind in which the vital signs are always
and continuously measured from the subject by a bedside monitor.
When the first calculating section 13 which processes the vital
sign signals is caused to operate on the monitor OS (first OS 11)
having high process reliability, therefore, it is possible to
continuously obtain stable outputs of vital signs.
The second calculating section 14 operates on the second OS 12. The
second calculating section 14 processes the vital signs based on a
control signal which is transmitted from the inputting section 17.
The second calculating section 14 and the inputting section 17 are
communicably connected to each other through a bus line 52. The
second calculating section 14 is communicably connected to the
first calculating section 13 through a bus line 53.
Since the second calculating section 14 operates on the extended OS
(second OS 12) having high expandability and versatility, the
second calculating section 14 analyzes the calculation process
signals transmitted from the first calculating section 13, and, by
using the advanced function which cannot be processed by the
embedded OS (first OS 11), can perform sophisticated graphic
processes and the like such as a display of a vital sign analysis
graph, a statistical process of data, a multilingual operation, and
screen decoration.
The second calculating section 14 (second OS 12) is connected to
the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 through a physical cable 54
(for example, a USB cable) to transmit and receive data to and from
the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30. The second calculating
section 14 receives an ultrasonic image signal from the ultrasonic
measurement apparatus 30, and processes the image signal, thereby
causing an ultrasonic image to be displayed on a displaying section
(for example, a display device disposed on the housing of the
patient monitor 10 which is not illustrated) which is not
illustrated, through the output controller 15.
The output controller 15 is configured by a graphic chip (video
chip) which is an integrated circuit for performing image
processing. The output controller 15 can simultaneously receive a
plurality of signals, and performs a display control based on
various calculation signals supplied from the first calculating
section 13 and the second calculating section 14. Based on the
received calculation signals, specifically, the output controller
15 causes various data, graphs, and the like to be displayed on the
displaying section (for example, a display device disposed on the
housing of the patient monitor 10) which is not illustrated. The
output controller 15 further causes the ultrasonic image which is
based on the ultrasonic image signal received from the ultrasonic
measurement apparatus 30, to be displayed on the displaying
section. In the display control, the output controller 15
adequately writes and reads data in and from a memory 16.
The inputting section 17 receives an input from various input
interfaces (such as the buttons, knobs, touch panel, and the like
on the housing of the patient monitor 10) which are not
illustrated, and supplies a control signal corresponding to the
input to the first calculating section 13 or the second calculating
section 14.
A master clock 18 is an internal clock which, even when the patient
monitor 10 is powered off, measures the present time. The master
clock 18 manages (measures) time information (common time
information) which is common to the hardware of the patient monitor
10. For example, the master clock 18 operates by receiving a power
supply from a battery (such as a button cell or the like which is
incorporated in the patient monitor 10) that is different from the
power supply of the patient monitor 10.
The first OS 11 manages (measures) first time information which is
internally unique time information. The first time information is a
so-called system clock. When the patient monitor 10 is activated
(the power supply is turned on), the first OS 11 reads the common
time information from the master clock 18, and updates the first
time information by using the read-out common time information.
Here, the term "update" has a concept which includes "process of
overwriting the first time information with the common time
information," and "process of calculating the difference between
the first time information and the common time information, and
shifting the time indicated by the first time information, by using
the difference." Namely, the term "update" has a concept which
includes all processes of matching the first time information with
the common time information. The above is applicable also in the
following description.
Similarly, the second OS 12 manages (measures) second time
information which is internally unique time information. The second
time information is the so-called system clock. When the patient
monitor 10 is activated (the power supply is turned on), the second
OS 12 reads the common time information from the master clock 18,
and updates the second time information by using the read-out
common time information.
When a predetermined event occurs, moreover, the first OS 11 reads
the common time information from the master clock 18, and updates
the first time information by using the read-out common time
information. When the predetermined event occurs, similarly, the
second OS 12 reads the common time information from the master
clock 18, and updates the second time information by using the
read-out common time information. For example, the predetermined
event is as follows:
a case where it is detected that the ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30 is physically connected to the patient monitor 10;
a case where a predetermined time period (for example, 30 minutes)
has elapsed from the previous time synchronizing process;
a case where a notification notifying the start of the time
synchronization with the master clock 18 is received from another
operating system;
a case where software related to an ultrasonic image is activated
or terminated in the second OS 12;
a case where the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 starts an
ultrasonic measurement (a start signal is received);
a case where the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 ends the
ultrasonic measurement (the start signal is terminated); and
a case where the user explicitly inputs a time synchronization
command (for example, a case where a dedicated synchronization
button or the like is pressed).
The second OS 12 updates the second time information by using the
common time information of the master clock 18, and notifies the
ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 of the updated second time
information. Before the process of updating the second time
information, the second OS 12 may notify the ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30 of the common time information. Namely, the second OS
12 notifies the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 of the read-out
common time information or the updated second time information. The
ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 updates the system clock which
is managed by the operating system in the ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30, by using the informed second time information (or the
common time information).
The first OS 11 and the second OS 12 independently access the
master clock 18, and therefore their read timings are preferably
matched with each other. Before the first OS 11 reads the common
time information from the master clock 18, for example, the reading
is preferably notified to the second OS 12. In response to the
notification, the second OS 12 accesses the master clock 18. In the
case where the detection timings of a predetermined event in the
operating systems are substantially identical to each other, the
above-described timing matching is not necessary.
When a predetermined event occurs, the first OS 11, the second OS
12, and the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 correct in unison
the respective sets of time information by using the common time
information which is managed by the master clock 18. In order to
correctly perform the time synchronization, preferably, the first
OS 11 performs the above-described updating process (reading from
the master clock 18 and updating of the first time information) in
preference to other processes. Similarly, the second OS 12
preferably performs the above-described updating process (reading
from the master clock 18, updating of the second time information,
and notification of the second time information or the common time
information) in preference to other processes. Namely, it is
preferable that the updating process is handled as a high-priority
interrupt process (a process which is immediately performed by
temporarily halting a currently active process, or in other word a
process which is performed in preference to other processes).
Each time when a predetermined event occurs, therefore, the sets of
time information which are managed respectively in the operating
systems (the first OS 11, the second OS 12, and the operating
system in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30) are synchronized
with one another by using the common time information.
Then, the flow of the time synchronization in the case where a
predetermined event occurs will be again described with reference
to FIG. 2. When a predetermined event is detected, the first OS 11
and the second OS 12 read the common time information of the master
clock 18, and update respectively the sets of time information (the
first time information and the second time information) which are
managed by the respective OSs (in other words, which are internally
unique). Moreover, the second OS 12 notifies the ultrasonic
measurement apparatus 30 of the updated second time information (or
the common time information). The ultrasonic measurement apparatus
30 updates the time information which is managed by the operating
system of the apparatus itself, by using the informed second time
information (or the common time information).
In the case where an event which can be detected by only one of the
operating systems in the patient monitor 10 occurs, the operating
system which detects the event performs notification at first
through the bus line 53. Then, the first OS 11 and the second OS 12
perform the above-described access to the master clock 18, and the
like.
Then, the effect of the patient monitor 10 of the embodiment will
be described. For example, a case where the ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30 acquires a blood flow image by means of Doppler
measurement, and the patient monitor 10 simultaneously displays a
blood pressure waveform and the like and the blood flow image will
be considered. In this case, when the sets of time information of
the operating systems are shifted from one another even if only
slightly, there arise differences between information of peaks of
the blood pressure and the like, and changes of the blood flow, and
therefore it is difficult to correctly know the condition of the
subject.
In the embodiment, when a predetermined event occurs, as described
above, the operating systems (the first OS 11, the second OS 12,
and the operating system in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus
30) cause the sets of time information which are managed
respectively by the operating systems, to be synchronized with one
another, by using the common time information which is counted by
the master clock 18. The time synchronizations in which the common
time information of the master clock 18 is used are performed at
substantially same timings, and therefore there is no difference
among the times in the operating systems. Consequently, the patient
monitor 10 can handle a plurality of sets of information (a
waveform, a measurement value, and an ultrasonic image) in a state
where there is no time difference.
In the case where the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 and the
patient monitor 10 are connected to each other in a wired manner,
particularly, the second time information can be transmitted at
high speed and stably. Moreover, the first OS 11 and the second OS
12 refer the master clock 18 in the same hardware without using a
network. Namely, the exchange of time information among the
operating systems (the first OS 11, the second OS 12, and the
operating system in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30) can be
performed at high speed and stably. As compared with the case where
synchronization (for example, synchronization with an NTP (Network
Time Protocol) server) is performed with using a network,
therefore, an adverse influence such as a network delay can be
avoided, and a state where there is little time difference among
the three operating systems can be set.
In the operating systems, as described above, the process related
to the time synchronization is preferentially performed (the
process is executed as a high-priority interrupt process). When the
time synchronization is performed with the highest priority, it is
possible to set a state where the sets of time information which
are managed respectively by the operating systems are more
synchronized with one another.
Embodiment 2
Then, a patient monitor system 1 of the embodiment 2 will be
described. Hereinafter, the patient monitor system 1 of the
embodiment 2 will be described in points different from Embodiment
1.
In the patient monitor system 1, the configuration itself is
identical with that illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment, the
method of synchronizing the times when a predetermined event occurs
is different. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of the time
synchronization in the embodiment.
When a predetermined event occurs, the first OS 11 reads the common
time information from the master clock 18. The first OS 11 updates
the first time information which is managed by oneself, by using
the read-out common time information. Moreover, the first OS 11
notifies the second OS 12 of the updated first time information
through the bus line 53. Alternatively, the first OS 11 may notify
the second OS 12 of the common time information before the first
time information is updated. Namely, the first OS 11 notifies the
second OS 12 of the common time information or the updated first
time information. The second OS 12 updates the second time
information which is managed by oneself, by using the informed
first time information or common time information. Moreover, the
second OS 12 notifies the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 of
the updated second time information. Alternatively, the second OS
12 may notify the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 of the common
time information before the second time information is updated.
Namely, the second OS 12 notifies the ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30 of the common time information or the updated second
time information. The ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 updates
the time information which is managed by the own operating system,
by using the informed second time information (or the common time
information).
Then, the effect of the patient monitor 10 of the embodiment will
be described. In the configuration of the embodiment, when a
predetermined event occurs, similarly with Embodiment 1, the
operating systems (the first OS 11, the second OS 12, and the
operating system in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30) cause
the sets of time information which are managed respectively by the
OSs, to be synchronized with one another by using the common time
information that is counted by the master clock 18. Consequently,
the patient monitor 10 can handle a plurality of sets of
information (a waveform, a measurement value, and an ultrasonic
image) in a state where there is no time difference.
Embodiment 3
Then, a patient monitor system 1 of the embodiment 3 will be
described. Hereinafter, the patient monitor system 1 of the
embodiment 3 will be described in points different from Embodiment
1.
In the patient monitor system 1, the configuration itself is
identical with that illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment, the
method of synchronizing the times when a predetermined event occurs
is different. FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of the time
synchronization in the embodiment.
When a predetermined event occurs, the second OS 12 reads the
common time information from the master clock 18. The second OS 12
updates the second time information which is managed by oneself, by
using the read-out common time information. Moreover, the second OS
12 notifies the first OS 11 of the updated second time information
through the bus line 53. The first OS 11 updates the first time
information which is managed by oneself, by using the informed
second time information. Moreover, the second OS 12 notifies the
ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 of the updated second time
information. The ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 updates the
time information which is managed by the own operating system, by
using the informed second time information.
Alternatively, the second OS 12 may notify the first OS 11 and the
ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30 of the common time information
before the second time information is updated. Namely, the second
OS 12 is requested to notify the first OS 11 and the ultrasonic
measurement apparatus 30 of the common time information or the
updated second time information.
Also the above-described configuration can attain an effect similar
to the effects of Embodiments 1 and 2.
Although the invention conducted by the inventor has been
specifically described based on the embodiments, the invention is
not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is a matter
of course that various changes can be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
For example, the first OS 11 or the second OS 12 may read time
information from an NTP server (Network Time Protocol server, a
time server) on a network at an arbitrary timing, and update the
common time information which is managed by the master clock 18, by
using the read-out time information. According to the
configuration, the common time information which is managed by the
master clock 18 is made substantially identical with a correct time
on the network, and a state is obtained where also the sets of time
information (the first time information, the second time
information, the system clock of the ultrasonic measurement
apparatus 30) which are managed respectively by the operating
systems (the first OS 11, the second OS 12, and the operating
system operating in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30) are
synchronized with time information which is managed on the
network.
In place of the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 30, an
electromyograph, an EIT (Electrical Impedance Tomography)
measurement apparatus, an electromagnetic blood flow meter, or the
like may be used as the external measurement apparatus.
Moreover, the first OS 11 may store as a history the degree of the
difference which, when the first time information is to be updated,
is produced between the first time information and the common time
information. Similarly, the second OS 12 may store as a history the
degree of the difference which, when the second time information is
to be updated, is produced between the second time information and
the common time information. The operating systems may use the
differences in the displayed vital signs or the like. For example,
a case where, in the updating, a difference of 3 seconds exists at
10 minutes past 10 o'clock will be considered. In this case, when
the history of the vital sign at 10 minutes past 10 o'clock is
displayed, the first OS 11 (or the second OS 12) may cause the
existence of the difference of 3 seconds to be displayed together
with the display of the vital sign. The first OS 11 (or the second
OS 12) may correct the history of the vital sign in accordance with
the time difference. In the case where a difference of 3 seconds is
caused in the time, for example, correction such as that in which
the time information of the history of the vital sign immediately
before the updating is shifted by 3 seconds may be performed.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2016-008260, filed on Jan. 19, 2016, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
There is provided a patient monitor on which a plurality of
operating systems operate, and in which, in a configuration where
an external measurement apparatus is connected to the patient
monitor, the operating systems can respectively handle time
information without time difference.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
10 patient monitor, 11 first OS (operating system), 12 second OS
(operating system), 13 first calculating section, 14 second
calculating section, 15 output controller, 16 memory, 17 inputting
section, 18 master clock, 21 measurement sensor, 22 measurement
sensor, 30 ultrasonic measurement apparatus
* * * * *